Apparatus for controlling heating systems



Nov. 15, 1938.

R. c. MOORE ET AL APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING HEATING SYSTEMS Filed April 22 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l JZLEIJ.

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Nov. 15, 1938.

R. c. MOORE ET AL APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING HEATING SYSTEMS Filed April 22. 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm B E5 SE n museums? comma ammo flmmmmmmummmmm mmnmmmmmmummamnm N M v r m 6 FRONT mmnmmmm mmmmmmunmmmmmmmmmmmmmamnmnmmmunmunmmmmmmfinnmuummmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmm m an ummmmmmmmmmmfiumnn HO V- 7a alves,

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c /1. M00 5 5 5 CE 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1938. R. c. MOORE ET AL APPARATUS .FOR CONTROLLING HEATING SYSTEMS Filed April 22, 1936 5 Shee'tsSheet 5 LIE-3:!

v INVENTORS EQY c. M0085 2 cmy H. 0065 Q.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING HEATING SYSTEMS Ray ,C. Moore and Clay H. Moore, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Warren Webster & Company, Camden, N, J., a. corporation of New Jersey Application April 22,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling heating systems and is particularly applicable to systems in which the supply of heating medium is turned on or shut off, or checked 5 andreleaseol at frequent intervals so that the amount of heat supplied to the system deter mined by the proportion of elapsed time occupied by the intervals of supply of the heating medium.

According to this invention, the frequency and duration of the short intervals of heat supply may be automatically controlled according to a predetermined program covering an extended period, such as one Week for example, and the duration oi each interval if desired may be au tomatically modified to comply with variations in the heating requirements as determined by outdoor Weather conditions. For example, When the outdoor temperature approximates 76 F., no heat will he required and accordingly the inter- Vale of heat supply may he eliminated. t other times, when the outdoor temperature is in the neighborhood of 40 F. for example, satisfactory heating may be secured by automatic adjustment of the intervals of heat supply so that they will occupy about one-half of the elapsed time. Again during zero weather conditions, to insure comfortahle heating, the supply of heating medium should of course oydinarily be maintained with out interruption, i. c. with elimination of the off periods.

With this invention suitable markings, or areas representative of the predetermined factors of the heating program, may be made upon a moving elongated film or other fiexiblestrip operated in conjunction with outdoor temperature and humidity responsive devices to control the heat ing system automatically to comply with the heating requirements at the above mentioned 49 temperatures as Well as intermediate temperatures. With. the preferred embodiment; of the invention a beam. of light controlled by the movlug film strip, acts upon a light sensitive element,

such as a photoelectric cell, which in turn through suitable electrical control equipment, serves to check or release the flow. of heating medium to the heating system.

With this invention, since the designations representing the heating program may be applied to a film strip, this strip may be quickly and easily removed and replaced from time to time if desired, by other film strips representing difierent programs, or the markings on a given film strip may be, quite easily altered to change the pro- 55 gram. These changes of the program may be 1936, Serial No. 75,856

quickly accomplished without any efiective interruption of the control of the heating system. Also, since the program iscarrled by a flexible strip, this strip may be readily made quite long to cover an extended period such as one week, and yet may be wrapped around suitable supporting rollers contained within a compact control box. Also the film strip may be readily made in the form. of an endless band so as to automatically repeat the program so long as it is desired to maintain the program unchanged.

Various further and more specific features, objects and advantages will more clearly appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred arrangement of the apparatus of the invention, merely by Way of example.

The invention consists in such novel features, arrangements and combinations of parts as may 20 shown and described in connection with the example of the apparatus herein disclosed, as illustrative of a preferred embodiment.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevational view partially in section, illustrating one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents a portion of the apparatus of Fig. l with the parts thereof moved to the posi- 30 tion which they will assume when the outdoor temperature is at 70, i. e. with the supply of heating medium shut off;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 except with the operating parts in the positions which they will assume when the Weather conditions require the supply of heating medium continuously;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view showing the relationship of the moving film strip, the source of light and the light sensitive cell;

Fig. 6 illustrates a typical portion of a film strip bearing markings representative of a heating program for 24 hours;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional View of a device for modifying the heat, control in accordance 5 with variations in humidity;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the device of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates the electrical 55 circuit connections for the apparatus; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are front and side elevational views respectively of a mercury'switch supporting clamp, which may be used in the apparatus.

Referring to the illustrations: a bulb I0 filled 55 with expansible liquid is mounted near or on top of the roof of the building in which the device is installed; a capillary tube leads from the bulb II to a bellows 2 in a casing i3 attached to the top of the control box H by bolts |5.

In the center of the bottom of the bellows I2 is attached a pin l8 which moves up and down with the retraction and expansion respectively oi the bellows l2 actuated in turn by the contraction and expansion of the liquid in the bulb III, as a result of outdoor temperature changes.

An inner bellows casing cover |1 secured within said casing I3 has an aperture l8 therethrough, in the center thereof, and the pin l8 projecting through this aperture passes also through a similar aperture l8 in the top surface of the control box I4, said aperture l8 registering with the aperture i8 in the bellows casing cover l1. 1

The pin l8 rests in a depression 28 in the top surface of a pivoted arm 2|, said arm being pivoted on a pin 22 mounted in a bearing bracket 28 and secured therein by a cotter pin 220., said bracket being attached to the under side a of the top surface of the control box H, by means of bolts 24.

A block 25 is attached to the inner rear wall of the control box H by bolts 25 and nuts 21, a pair of pins 28 and 28 projecting inwardly therefrom and having adjustable stop screws 38 and II transversely screwed therethrough respectively, one pin and its screw being mounted on each side of the pivoted arm 2| to confine the swinging oi the arm within predetermined limits.

A pair of mercury switch tubes 32 and 33 are attached to the face 250 of the block 25 by means of pivoting clamps 84 and 35 secured to said face 25a by pivots 35 and 31, the mercury switches being positioned on opposed sides of the arm 2|.

The pivoting clamps 84 and 35 have vertical fingers 88 and 38 respectively projecting downwardly therefrom and have springs 48 and 4| attached at one end to the pivot clamps 34 and 35 respectively, the opposite ends of said springs being secured to the face of said block 25 at its lower corners as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The pivot arm 2| terminates at its lower end in a boss 42 from the opposed ends of which adjustable screws 43 and 44 project to contact the fingers 88 and 89 as the pivoted arm 2| swings to one side or the other.

A photo-electric cell or other suitable form of light sensitive device 45, having for example a light sensitive cathode or element 48, and a light bulb or other light source 41, are mounted in a casing 48, attached securely to the pivoted arm 2| by suitable means such as bolts 49. A transverse slot 58 in the center of the casing 48 permits the free passage of a film 5| therethrough. The casing may be formed with partition walls having apertures 58 and 53a adjacent to the slot 58 and opposed to and registering with each other, (Fig. 5) each aperture having a funnel shaped mounting as at 54 and 55 secured therein respectively; at the outer end of the tapered mountings and adjacent to said light sensitive cell and light source 41, are mounted lens 54a and a respectively. Removable covers 48a and 481) are secured to the ends of each portion of the casing 48 by bolts 49a.

A spring 58 is attached at one end to the pivoted arm 2| through aperforation 51, the opposite end of said spring being secured to a threaded hook 58 mounted through the side of the control box l4, a thumb nut 59 screwed on the threaded end of said hook on the outside of said control box |4 permits tension adjustment on the arm 2| to compensate for the hydrostatic head within bellows |2; a collar 88 over the hook 58 on the inside of the control box |4 tends to support the said hook in a horizontal position.

Suitable well-known photoelectric cell circuit amplifier apparatus may be contained in a relay case 5| along with a single pole double throw relay all of which is secured to the inner wall of the control box |4, below the spring 58. Operation of the relay changes connections to afiect the oil burner, stoker or motorized steam valve, etc. to change the rate of steam delivery to the heating system according to the schedule represented on the film 5| as hereinafter explained.

An electric clock 52 is mounted within the control box l4 substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and operates a rotary shaft 88 which is secured thereto at one end by a collar 54 and set screw 55. A film driving drum 88 is securely mounted on the rotary shaft 83 by the hub 81 and set screw 68, said drum having parallel rows of teeth projecting outwardly therefrom around the periphery of the drum and adjacent its outer edges. These teeth register with and project through perforations adjacent to the outer edges of the film 5| as said film progresses around the drum 88.

A partition 18 in the control box H has an anguiarly shaped opening 1| through which the block 25 and the lamp case 48 project. A plurality of pins 12, 12a and 1227 are threaded at one end and are mounted through the said partition in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. l, and secured by nuts 13. Another pin 14 is adjustably secured to the partition 18, through a slot 15 in said partition in substantially the position shown in Fig. 1.

Spools 18, 11 and 18 are rotatably mounted on the pins 12, 12a and 12b and secured by cotters 18. An idler spool 88 is rotatably mounted on the pin 14 and is adjustable by means of the pin 14 in the slot 15 to take up slack in the film 5| as it feeds over the spools as shown in Fig. 1.

A device for compensating for variations in humidity is illustrated at 8! in Figs. 1 and '7. This device may comprise a casing 82 having an interiorly threaded neck 88 at one end and a small aperture 84 at the opposite end, formed through a cover 85. This cover may be removably secured in place as by screws 850. A small bellows 88 may be located within said casing and in a position such that one end of the bellows abuts a block of material 81 which will expand or contract in response to variations in humidity. An adjusting screw 88 may be mounted within the threaded neck 83 and provided with a knurled knob 88a at its outer end. A pressure plate 88 may be secured to the inner end of the screw 88 in a position abutting the humidity sensitive member 81. That is, the plate 89 may be formed with a boss 98 for receiving the screw 88, fixed therein as by a pin 9|.

'llhe small bellows 88 may be brought into communication with the capillary tube II by means of a branch capillary tube 82 extending through the aperture 84. The humidity responsive control device'8l may be used or not, as desired, in conjunction with the above described thermostatic control apparatus. Its purpose when used is to alter the fiuid pressure within bellows l2 whenever the prevailing humidity varies, thereby so modifying the thermostatic control as to insure more comfortable heating of the spaces heated by the system.

The film may be printed or painted, as for example with the use of sensitizing chemicals, to provide a series or transparent areas alternating with opaque or light obstructing areas, as indicated at Eta-Jul inclusive, in Fig. 6. This series of areas determines the duration of the on and "oil intervals or periods in the supply ing of heat to the heating system. For example, in the early morning at 3 A. M. it may be desired to initiate the supplyof heat and at this time the transparent portion 5| a moves slowly through the beam of light from lamp fl'l permitting the light to fall on a light sensitive cell, which in turn, through the electrical control equipment,

turns on the supply of heat. This on interval continues so long as the light beam is free to pass through the film without substantial obstruction, and to fell upon the light sensitive cell. When the area 55a has completely passed through the lightbeam, the succeeding area on the film will obstruct the light and thus cause the cell to shut off or check the supply of heating medium. Then succeeding light transmitting and obstructing areas on the film will in succession similarly cause releasing and checking of the heating medium.

Lead in wires A and B enter the control box it through an insulated aperture 33 and are con-- nected to wires C and D which lead from the relay case Gt to the electric clock E32, lead wires C and D from the wires C and D are connected to the transformer lit at one end, wires E and ii are attached to connections s5 and so on the opposite side of said transformer, wire E being attached to'the light soclret ile and wire F being attached to the mercury tube a wire G leads from the mercury tube to the light socket t le. The wires I-ll and it lead from the relay case SE to the contact terminals Mia and of the light sensitivecell lead wires H and .l" are connected to said wires H and J at one end, the opposite ends being secured to the terminals of the marcury switch All wires are secured to the control case by clamps In operation, expansion and contraction of liq- "old in thermostatic chamber responsive to fluctuating weather conditions moves pic. i or attached to the movable head of bellows ill to swing lever 2i carrying photo-electric tube t!- to the right (Fig. 2) as the weather moderates and to the left as it becomes more severe. Light apertures lit and along with lamp move with the photoelectric tube with the result that the light beam from lamp ll passes through the clear portions of the right hand side of film ill in mild weather and through the clear portions of the left'hand side in colder weather, taking propor= tional intermediate positions for various weather conditions.

Film is being moved vertically past apertures 53 and by clock 82 at a constant rate regard less of the time of day or weather conditions. he it moves past the apertures, the light passes through the clear, transparent portions 560:. or 5127 and affects the light sensitive electrode lt of photo-electric tube 35 so that a current is estal lished in the circuit of tube to, and wires H and J, for causing actuation of the single pole double throw relay (not shown) in case 6!, which is thereby positioned to start the oil burner or stoker, or to open. the motorized steam valve. This condition continues until clock 82 draws an opaque portion of film 5| between apertures 53 and 53a when light from lamp 41 will no longer reach the light sensitive electrode 46 of tube 45. The current flowing through tube 45 is then interrupted and the relay in case it is reversed so that the oil burner or stoker is stopped, or the motorized steam valve is closed; this condition continuing until another transparent space onthe film passes between apertures 53 and 53a. 5

When the outside temperature exceeds the amount for which screw 44 has been set, further expansion of bellows l2 will move arm 2! further to the right, switch arm 39 will engage with screw 44 so that mercury switch 33 will be tilted in to the left and the circuit through it will be broken, breaking the circuit to lamp 6'! and light will no longer pass through apertures 53 and 53a, with the result that photo-electric tube 45 will operate as described above during periods when is opaque portions of the film interrupts the beam of light, and the oil burner, stolzer or motorized steam valve will stop delivery of steam to the system. No further steam delivery will occur until the cutdoor temperature drops sufilciently to complete the circuit through switch 33.

In colder weather contraction of the liquid in chamber ill raises pin 56 on bellows i2, moving lever 2i to the left, thus carrying case M containing lamp fill, apertures 53 and 53a. and tube .25 15 to the left so that the beam of light from lamp dl is affected by the leift hand portion of film Eli. Film tit has more clear area and less opaque area on its left side so tht tube t5, the relay in case Eli and oil burner, stolrer or motorized steam 3d valve are operated to deliver steam to the building for longer periods of time, thereby delivering more heat to the building in accordance with the requirements of the colder weather.

In the most severe weather the liquid in bulb contracts sufiiciently to permit lever to move to its extreme left position where it makes contact with lever 38, which it moves against the action of spring til so that mercury switch 32 on axis is tilted to complete circuit through wires to H and J independently of the light sensitive cell. 'l'iie circuit to the relay incase til is thereby com-- pleted and the relay operates the oil burner, atelier, or motorized steam valve to deliver steam to the building in the same way as when tube is aii'ected by the beam of light, except that steam flow is uninterrupted and this continues until the outdoor temperature rises suflicicntlyto break: the circuit through switch The light bulb tl' and photo-cell move from one side of the film iii to the other in direct relation to the temperature (if the device til is not used) as the film moves in. a downward direction as shown in Fig. 1 through the slot 5& in the lamp case between the light source and the sensitive cell. As the shaded or opaque portions of film pass through the light'beam, the cell loses its energy and allows the sensitive relay to deeriergise causing the steam to be shut oil, then as the light transmitting portions oi the film pass through the slot 56, the light causes the cell to be energized and causes actuation of the relay and causes the steam to come on again.

The drum to is revolved once each twenty four hours, by the electric clock 62 and the length of the film belt Ell being exactly seven times that of the drum, there is provided a full weeks program on the film.

Thus, if the building has a week-end shut-down period, that is, if the building is not occupied from 6 P. M. on Saturday until Monday morning, there will be light transmitting areas as at fild spaced at intervals along the side of the film and extending to about one third of the way across the film as shown on Fig. 6. These may be repeated each second hour after the night shutdown occurs. Thus if the outside temperature drops below freezing, the light beam will cut through the tips of these areas on the film and will operate to permit the steam of the heating system to be admitted for short periods of a length depending upon the outdoor temperature.

The light transmitting areas on the film ii are made gradually more restricted from the left toward the center and as the outside temperature decreases, the photo-cell l6 'and light bulb 41 move to the left, lengthening the periods during which the light beam afiect the cell and thus allowing the heat to stay on for longer periods up to, for example, 50% of the time. Unless the temperature is below a predetermined level the steam will stay off all night.

If the morning pick-up starts at 3 A. M. as is indicated on Fig. 6, the extended area Sid as shown will occur for six days each week, the pickup area slanting up to the 6 P. M. period, at which time the desired temperature in the building is reached. If the weather is mild a shorter pick-up period will be aifected as a result of the shape of the area 5| a as shown.

The right hand ends of the spools I6, 11, II and 80 are so made as to allow the film to be removed with ease after the coupling between the drum 66 and the electric clock 62 is removed. These spools may be extended to the right (Fig. 2) and an operation recorder may be added to furnish a full record of the temperatures resulting from the operation of the heating plant.

If this system is used with a stoker, a clear streak or line may be drawn across the film at points corresponding to the end of each half hour interval, to cause operation of the apparatus at such intervals, thereby preventing the fire from dying in mild weather. or a special time stoker relay.

The days of the week and the hours of the day may be printed on the film, and at the time the film is inserted, the corresponding hour marking may be placed in the light beam, no other setting being needed.

If the week-end shut-down is not necessary due to the building being used the full seven days in the week, the drum 66 will be one inch in diameter and will revolve 24 times in 24 hours.

As many cycles may be printed on the films as needed to obtain'the frequency of on" and of! periods that may be required for a particular building.

The transformer 94 may have a ratio of 110 to 6 volts, the 6 volts being for the light source, which may be a common single contact single filament automobile lamp.

The filmmay be made of Celluloid or a bronze belt may be used with the light transmitting areas cut out as with a stencil.

The light transmitting areas 5ic and Bid correspond to the night-time periods during which the heating system is on" from 6 P. M. of one day, to 3 A. M. the next day.

The humidity compensator Ii may be attached by a branch tube connected to capillary tube Ii adjacent the bellows i2, and when the humidity of the inside air rises, the block or wood or other suitable material 81 expands and presses on the small bellows 88, depressing said bellows which in turn expands the bellows ii in the control This eliminates the use box I. As the humidity decreases, the block ll contracts and the small bellows 86 expands, decreasing the pressure in the bellows I! in the control box H, causing the heat to remain "on during longer intervals and od during shorter intervals. This humidity compensator does not, however, change the temperature in excess of five degrees.

Various changes may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts, within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Regulating apparatus for interrupting a flow of heating medium to a heating system during short spaced intervals, comprising a light sensitive cell, means including an electric circuit controlled by said cell [or eflecting the interruptions of said flow, a source of light, an elongated film strip formed with a succession of spaced light obstructlng areas extending transversely of the film and interspaced with light transmitting areas, said succession or areas being representative of a predetermined desired program of interruptions of said fiow,means for advancing said areas past said cell through the light from said source with a predetermined time controlled motion, and thermostatic means subject to outdoor temperature variations for automatically adjusting transversely of the film, the relative positions of said film and the light which passes therethrough to the cell, the width of each of said obstructing areas varying from point to point transversely of the film.

2. Apparatus for controlling a heating system, comprising a source of light, a light sensitive cell, electrically operated means acting in response to alteration of light impinging on said cell for causing alteration of the fiow of heating medium to the system, an elongated strip movable in the light passing from said source to said cell, said strip having light transmitting and light obstructing areas, a succession of said areas extending along the length of said strip and corresponding to a desired heating program, the extent of each area varying at different points transversely of the strip, means for moving transversely of the strip, the relative positions of said light and strip in response to prevailing temperature changes, and means for advancing the strip longitudinally with a predetermined speed.

3. Apparatus for controlling a heating system, comprising electrically operated means for causing the checking or releasing of a flow of heating medium to the system, a light sensitive device for controlling a circuit of said means, an electric lamp and circuit therefor, an elongated member having a succession of light transmitting and light obstructing areas corresponding respectively to diilerent times of the day, means for moving said member with a predetermined motion through light passing from said lamp to said device, a switch for short circuiting said device, a second switch for disconnecting current from said lamp, and thermostatic means operatively connected to close said first switch when the prevailing temperature falls below a predetermined level, or alternatively to open said second switch when the prevailing temperature exceeds a predetermined level,

' RAY C. MOORE.

CLAY H. MOORE. 

